Kelly in Epsom vs Kelly in box: pros and cons

[frou frou]

It does sometimes. It does not need to look battered. This baby is 38.

How beautiful , stunning and simply perfect. It could be 'new' to my eyes , but I've never seen a beauty like this in store!
I prefer to buy new in store for some styles: Evelyne, Double Sens, Canvas GP , but for a Kelly I'll always prefer an older model.
I'd love Barenia or Porc .
My own BBK is 30 plus years old and looks quite young. My style is fairly modern /minimal [ I hope….maybe I'm kidding myself here !] and the Kelly feels pretty easy and low key .

 

[chicinthecity777]

If a vintage bag hasn't been used, then it will of course look like new. If a box leather bag has been used, it's a different look. Used look. The scratches on box leather cannot be refurbished to disappear. No scratches can be undone and box leather is very prone to scratches. That's just a fact.

 

[frou frou]

If a vintage bag hasn't been used, then it will of course look like new. If a box leather bag has been used, it's a different look. Used look. The scratches on box leather cannot be refurbished to disappear. No scratches can be undone and box leather is very prone to scratches. That's just a fact.

When do scratches become a patina?
I agree about scratches on Box being inevitable and lasting but , as with used Barenia , the results are beautiful to my eyes . Same with old Danish silver , vintage Torun Georg Jensen for example.
I don't care for shiny perfect new things, but accept that it's a question of taste .

 

[chicinthecity777]

When do scratches become a patina?
I agree about scratches on Box being inevitable and lasting but , as with used Barenia , the results are beautiful to my eyes . Same with old Danish silver , vintage Torun Georg Jensen for example.
I don't care for shiny perfect new things, but accept that it's a question of taste .

It really is a personal preference. I am sure you already know but I think this thread provides a lot of photos for aged box leather for anybody else who might be interested: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/photos-of-your-less-than-perfect-vintage-hermes.863974/

 

[frou frou]

It really is a personal preference. I am sure you already know but I think this thread provides a lot of photos for aged box leather for anybody else who might be interested: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/photos-of-your-less-than-perfect-vintage-hermes.863974/

Yes, that's a great thread with the full spectrum of vintage Hermès bags and leathers ,including some divine Barenia.

 

[papertiger]

It does sometimes. It does not need to look battered. This baby is 38.

Hard to better these era bags.

 

[minuit]

All bags in any leather will inevitably get old and age. I think the question is, what is your attitude toward this natural aging process? Do you see signs of age as imperfections, or do you see them as things that can actually make the bag look more interesting?

In my experience, box leather suits people who accept that there will be signs of wear almost immediately, but that this may enhance the appearance of the leather as long as they don’t abuse it. This preference tends to go along with a love of neutral colors as such colors will look better as they darken and develop a patina.

However, those who prefer Epsom leather love that it will resist wear and look new for a very long time. That is, until significant wear occurs and the bag cannot be restored to its original state. It can be repaired of course, but the texture of that spot will be different, and this kind of imperfection does not contribute to a patina... in short, the bag looks best when it is pristine, but it is able to keep up this appearance for a long time. Especially with the candy colors, this is important because they don’t look as nice when the leather darkens, they look dirty.

When you think about nature, the things that are made out of more artificial materials tend to keep their new appearance for longer. But when they do age, they don’t look as nice. For some people though, old things are not appealing no matter what they are made of. Nowadays most vintage bags are made out of box. But imagine what it will be like in the future when most vintage bags will be made from epsom?

 

[papertiger]

How beautiful , stunning and simply perfect. It could be 'new' to my eyes , but I've never seen a beauty like this in store!
I prefer to buy new in store for some styles: Evelyne, Double Sens, Canvas GP , but for a Kelly I'll always prefer an older model.
I'd love Barenia or Porc .
My own BBK is 30 plus years old and looks quite young. My style is fairly modern /minimal [ I hope….maybe I'm kidding myself here !] and the Kelly feels pretty easy and low key .

K in Peau Porc Sellier would be ideal for daytime smart-casual. Box always smart to me, I think it's the shine.

Low-key scratches can be buffed out no problem. The more leather is buffed the more resistant it is to scratches. Therefore well maintained older box is not as susceptible to scratches (or rain damage) as when new and can look 'as new' after performing it's duty for a long time. This is the same for shoes, just ask a soldier

 

[WingNut]

Box for me. I don't have any larger bags in Epsom but I had some SLGs and they did not wear well at all, and once they did wear, they looked like crap. Even Lizard took wear better than Epsom.

If you choose box but still crave a durable textured leather for other options, may I suggest Fjord for it's sheer indestructible-ness, and Chèvre for being only slightly more delicate but absolutely gorgeous?

 

[frou frou]

All bags in any leather will inevitably get old and age. I think the question is, what is your attitude toward this natural aging process? Do you see signs of age as imperfections, or do you see them as things that can actually make the bag look more interesting?

In my experience, box leather suits people who accept that there will be signs of wear almost immediately, but that this may enhance the appearance of the leather as long as they don’t abuse it. This preference tends to go along with a love of neutral colors as such colors will look better as they darken and develop a patina.

However, those who prefer Epsom leather love that it will resist wear and look new for a very long time. That is, until significant wear occurs and the bag cannot be restored to its original state. It can be repaired of course, but the texture of that spot will be different, and this kind of imperfection does not contribute to a patina... in short, the bag looks best when it is pristine, but it is able to keep up this appearance for a long time. Especially with the candy colors, this is important because they don’t look as nice when the leather darkens, they look dirty.

When you think about nature, the things that are made out of more artificial materials tend to keep their new appearance for longer. But when they do age, they don’t look as nice. For some people though, old things are not appealing no matter what they are made of. Nowadays most vintage bags are made out of box. But imagine what it will be like in the future when most vintage bags will be made from epsom?

That’s a fascinating and succinct summary , are you a candy colour loving tailored Epsom or a patinated Box.......

 

[ladysarah]

Thank you ladies all for your insightful comments. Papertiger, I did not know that about older box being more resilient...

The past week I ve been using my new Epsom Kelly 28 daily and I can vouch for its resistance to rainy London. The vintage green Kelly stays safely wrapped up in its dust bag at home... so I guess it depends if you want a Kelly to use often or a Kelly to collect.

Summing up and please feel free to add or delete or comment from your own experience.

Epsom
pros

Most weatherproof leather (water simply slides off and can be wiped)
Holds its shape really well in sellier styles
Doesn't mark or scratch easily
Resistant to wear & tear - virtually bullet proof
For anyone who likes colours, Epsom leather takes colour exceptionally well
Mat discreet finish- contemporary look.

Cons
It's not a particularly tactile leather.
Wear in the corners may not be refurbished to look invisible (but I can tell you, it takes decades for corner wear to actualise.)

Box
Pros
Green & ecological choice: Vintage options are plentiful
Surrounded with mystery with an aura of vintage romance
With regular care the leather refurbishes beautifully
It can look better with age, that cannot be said of many things!
Tactile leather, though beware of fingermarks. Twillies are advisable.

Cons
Marks & scratches very easily. You breath too close and it gets marked. (Nerves of steel are required to take this)
Rain drops can leave permanent blemishes, like small pox. Quite horrible!
Without care the leather has a tendency to dry. Look at some horrid older bags
Shiny finish which may or may not be to everyone taste.
Old box can be stretched and misshapen, does not hold its shape well

 

[Newbie88]

It does sometimes. It does not need to look battered. This baby is 38.

Your Kelly is gorgeous! Could you share with us how you are able to maintain it so well? Thanks!

 

[QuelleFromage]

Your Kelly is gorgeous! Could you share with us how you are able to maintain it so well? Thanks!

I don't overload it and I use conditioning cream every few months. Of course I do not use this bag daily, but I do take it out. The bag does not have a strap, which saves it from banging into things. Of all my bags I am likely the most careful with this one.
However, I did own a black Box Kelly which I used a LOT and that bag also looked great with regular conditioning. It was caught in rain a few times and wiped off pretty rapidly, no issues.
I also have a gold Box Kelly that is SIXTY-SIX years old and, while certainly not new, looks pretty darn good for her age. I'll try to find a photo - it's been posted here before.
Overall I don't think Box Kellys look like Olsen twin bags unless they have suffered some level of abuse. I can't speak to Epsom as I just don't like the texture, my only Epsom item is a passport cover which has not worn well....to me there are so many other leather choices for a Kelly, but differing tastes make the world go round

 

[Newbie88]

I don't overload it and I use conditioning cream every few months. Of course I do not use this bag daily, but I do take it out. The bag does not have a strap, which saves it from banging into things. Of all my bags I am likely the most careful with this one.
However, I did own a black Box Kelly which I used a LOT and that bag also looked great with regular conditioning. It was caught in rain a few times and wiped off pretty rapidly, no issues.
I also have a gold Box Kelly that is SIXTY-SIX years old and, while certainly not new, looks pretty darn good for her age. I'll try to find a photo - it's been posted here before.
Overall I don't think Box Kellys look like Olsen twin bags unless they have suffered some level of abuse. I can't speak to Epsom as I just don't like the texture, my only Epsom item is a passport cover which has not worn well....to me there are so many other leather choices for a Kelly, but differing tastes make the world go round

Thanks for the advice! I'm really tempted to get a vintage box Kelly lol.... Any suggestions on where a good source for them would be? I'm heading to Paris in two weeks time so I was wondering if Collectors Square would be a good place to look for one. And could you kindly share what brand of conditioning cream you use? Thanks!

 

[ladysarah]

Thanks for the advice! I'm really tempted to get a vintage box Kelly lol.... Any suggestions on where a good source for them would be? I'm heading to Paris in two weeks time so I was wondering if Collectors Square would be a good place to look for one. And could you kindly share what brand of conditioning cream you use? Thanks!

Collectors square is an excelent place. I sold a couple of things with them they are professional with a thorough authentication process. You need to make an appointment in advance, so you can go and see what they have available to try on and choose a leisure. Let us know what you get!